The drive back to her apartnt was silent and satisfying. Celeste kept the windows up, and the soft hum of the car was the only sound accompanying the pulse of her thoughts.
Her conversation with Nana echoed in her mind, rephrasing itself in different ways. The approval, the subtle warning, and the reminder of choice.
She had made hers. She had ended things. She couldn’t wait to tell Dominic about it. Sweet Lord!
The last of Landon, the last of that version of her life.
Celeste got out of the car when she got to her apartnt.
She liked this place for its silence. No children, no neighbors who knocked without reason. Just a clean, orderly life. She slid her key into the lock of her apartnt door—
It didn’t resist.
Her hand stilled.
The door had always required a firm twist, a slight lift. Now it simply... gave.
Her heart slamd in her chest. She stood still, listening.
There was no sound.
No footsteps. No murmurs.
She pushed the door slowly open.
Her blood turned to ice.
The door wasn’t closed. It hung slightly ajar, and the fra was cracked like a bone broken clean.
She froze.
Her phone was in her purse. Fingers trembling, she reached for it. But before she could dial, sothing primal made her pause.
What if whoever did this... was still inside?
She stepped back. Slowly. Careful not to make a sound. Her breath turned ragged. She flinched when she heard a sound from the inside.
The sound was faint but deliberate. Celeste bolted.
She raced down the hall and didn’t stop until she was outside the building. Her lungs burned when she reached outside. She kept staring behind her, if the person followed her out.
With shaking fingers, she called Dominic.
He answered before the first ring finished.
"Celeste?"
"My apartnt.... soone broke in—"
"Where are you? Are you safe?"
"Outside. I ran out. I didn’t go in—"
"Stay right there. I’m coming. Right now."
The line went dead. She stared at her screen. Then back at the building.
Was this random? Or was soone targeting her? Could it be a strong hater from the dia?
Her thoughts spiraled. What if it was Landon? Or soone working for him? What if it was connected to Dominic? What if it was from a certain press agency? Her head throbbed with questions and no answers. All she could do was wrap her arms around herself and wait.
Minutes later, a sleek black car screeched to a stop at the curb. Dominic stepped out. His suit jacket was tossed aside. His sleeves were rolled up, and his face carved from pure fury and concern.
"Where?" he demanded.
She pointed silently.
Without hesitation, Dominic brushed past her and climbed the steps. He didn’t ask her to follow cause he didn’t want her to see what he could do if he sees the person.
Celeste watched, gripping her elbows. The silence around them stretched, taut and anxious.
Dominic reerged ten minutes later, eyes dark.
"They’re gone. Whoever it was. They tossed your place. It wasn’t random. They were looking for sothing."
"What... what do you an?"
He placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch was grounding, yet soft. He looked relaxed now, compared to when he first ca in.
"Ypur drawers were emptied. Cabinets ripped open. Closets turned inside out. They didn’t take jewelry or cash."
Celeste felt the room tilt. "What could they want from ? I’m not—"
"Yes, you are," Dominic interrupted. "You’re with . That’s more than enough reason." He searched her eyes imdiately after those words. This was what he feared.
He could protect her but he feared how she might react to having to live the rest of her life under protection all because she choose him.
A chill slid down her spine.
She looked at him, the storm in his eyes, the protectiveness beneath his rage. For a brief mont, she forgot the fear and focused only on him.
"Co with ," he said. "You’re not staying here tonight. Or any night until this is solved."
"Dominic—"
"Celeste. Please."
Her lips parted, but the fight died in her throat. She nodded.
Dominic sighed softly, and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her for a short mont, repeatedly kissing her head before letting her go.
He opened the car door for her, and she slid inside, hugging her arms around her chest.
The drive to his penthouse was silent.
Even when they arrived, Dominic didn’t leave her side. He guided her inside gently. She stood in the mighty living room, unmoving, while he poured a glass of water and handed it to her.
"I called my security firm," he said quietly. "They’ll go through your place tonight. I’ll have soone check the building footage too."
She nodded, her hands still trembling around the glass.
He watched her carefully. "Do you want to shower? Change? You can borrow anything."
Celeste shook her head. "I just... I need a minute."
He gave her space. He didn’t hover, but he prayed under his breath that she wasn’t about to think she made the wrong decision with him. He would let her go, but can he bear it?
Finally, after several long minutes, Celeste set the water down.
"They knew I wasn’t ho," she whispered. "Everything feels like they waited."
Dominic’s jaw clenched. "Which ans they’re watching you. Or ."
Her stomach flipped.
"Do you think it was Landon?"
His eyes darkened. "He’s a possibility. But I won’t guess until I have facts. I don’t play with shadows."
There was sothing in the way he said it that made her shiver in awe.
"I thought today would bring peace," she said, laughing bitterly. "After Nana... after everything. I thought I’d finally sleep again."
He rose, walked over, and crouched in front of her. Gently, he took her hands in his.
"You will. You will still sleep tonight. Tonight, you’ll stay where no one can touch you." He said.
"With you?"
"Yes. With ."
Tears prickled her eyes, but she blinked them away.
"Do you believe now?" he asked. "That loving you isn’t safe? That being near makes you a target?"
Celeste squeezed his hands.
"Maybe. But I also believe I’d still rather be here. With you."
Dominic’s eyes closed briefly, as if that admission did sothing to his insides.
He stood and pulled her gently to her feet. "Co. I’ll show you to the other rooms, and you pick the best you want from them."
Celeste nodded but on a second thought, she shook her head. "No. I want us to share a bed. Is that okay?"
Dominic smiled imdiately. "I’m honoured you asked."
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